Indicating device



oct. 17, 1933.

R. N. SAXBY INDICATING DEVICE Filed April 13 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Ilm-51E? Ruhe-r1' N. Sax-1:5

aile- Oct. 17, 1933. R N SAXBY 1,930,540

INDICATING DEVICE Filed April 13, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 y Ui:

Im Rmbl' N. 5a@

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Oct. 17, 1933. R N. SAXBY INDICATING DEVICE Filed April 13, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Oct. 17, |:Ql N SAXBY 'INDICATING DEVICE Filed April 13, 1931 l 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Im EBEE-T N,5axb

Oct. 17, 1933. R N- SAXBY 1,930,540

INDICATING DEVICE Filed April 13, 1931 5 SheetS-ShleA 5 Patented Oct. 17, 1933 Y f` u `'1,930,540 INDICATING DEVICE Y Robert.u Norman Saxby, Liverpool, England, as-

4'signor Qto Automatic Electric lCornpany Limited, Liverpool, 'England Application Aprilia, 1931, serial No. 529,570,511

in Great Britain Junez, V1930 5 claims. (ol. 40-53) The present invention relates to indicating or display devices, particularly those arrangedfor displaying to a large body of observers numbers or letters which require to be readilychanged yatwill. u Such'indicat'ors may rind application for instance in displaying advertising matter, in y train despatching systems,l for f showing the.

scores -on cricket or other sports grounds, or on racecourses for indicating the progress of ticket sellingA in connection with totalizer installations.

The arrangement, according to the invention, is particularly suitable for this `last purpose and, for the sake of convenience,Y the description which `follows will assume the use of the inven/ tion in such circumstances. i

It has already been proposed to construct indicators in the form ofpolygonal drums having a different character on each side and arranged so that only one' side is rendered `visible-at a time.' The chief objection to such drums is that for a display ofA adequate size they take up a great amount of space and moreover owing to theirlarge'diarneter they possess considerable inertia so. that it is difficult to secure` quick changes of displayY as is particularly desirablev ina totalizer indicator.`v The object of the in- .vention is to produce a simple mechanical indi-` cator whichy occupies little space vcompared with the size of thev display and is composed of 'only a small number of separate parts. u 4f' `According tothe invention, `use is made-of a series of movable plates pivoted on a rotatable cage of comparatively small diameter and it is preferably arranged that the actualv display is made by Yone side of a plate andthe opposite side of the adjacent plate therebygiving an indication twice'the size of a single plate; The plates bearingv the numerals or other characters Y `will preferably be moved into` position by means of a motor or lelectro-magnet controlled from a distance, although `full'mechaniVcal'control of the indicator is not outside'the scope ofthe invention;

The invention will be better understoody from A.the following description Lof one method of. carrying it into effect in which it is assumed that the operation of the plates iseffected mechanically wnile the control is effected electrically.

It is assumed, moreover, that the arrangement is used in a totalizer system of the type described in the application of L. M. Simpson, Serial No.

a particular Referring now to the drawings, Fig. lushowsa` y left hand side view of the indicator, Fig. 2 shows aplan View with the cover' removed,y Fig., 3

shows a' front view of the indicator, Fig. 4 shows a sectional viewof Fig. 3 through the'trackV indicated by the. arrows and illustrates more clear-y ly the .manner in which the indicating plates are pivoted to the rotating cage, Fig.` 5 `shows a right hand side View of the 'indicator and details the driving mechanism, and 6 shows a diagrammatic representation ofthe apparatus and4 the control circuits therefor. y

It willvbe' seen from reference to Figs. 1 and 2l that the indicator presentsthe appearance substantially of a rectangular box shaped unit enclosed by the dust cover 10v whichis provided with the handle.r 1l and maybe removed by undoing 'the knurled fingernuts 12 so that the cover may then be withdrawn by a sliding movementg'to'the left. With-the cover removed, the left hand and right hand side views shown in 'Figs y`1 and 5 will exposed as also will be the planH view shown in Fig..2. "In the drawings, it has been `convenient to show the'covcr in part section so as to clearly indicate its position without interfering with the descriptive views required. y The vmain framework of the indicator, to which the vvarious components are `mounted, is shown more clearly in Fig. 2 and comprises a substantially square shaped metal .pressedl member 13 openat the front to allow for the movement of the indicating plates and secured by means of countersunk screws `such as.14 and spacing washers'such as 15 to a substantially tray shaped base member 16. As will be seenffrom the viewsFig. 1 and Fig. 5 the longer dimension edge of the base is turned up into the form of a lip through which the kIirrthrough suitable holes therein;` and are threaded into the walls of the pressed` metal mounting member 13. Tubular washers of substantially the'` same depth as the channel shaped members are .threaded over the fixing screws so as to `fit yflush with the side' of ther mounting 110 l member 13 and the sides of the 'channel mem- VVmeans of thel screws 19 andp20 which pass c bers 17 and 18 to provide the necessary clamping means. The upper ends of the channel shaped members are clamped to the pressed metal mounting member 13 between the ends of the cross pillar 21 and the smaller fixing screws 22 and 23 which are threaded therein. The cross pillar 21, in addition to serving the purpose of a bracing member, performs the function of a plate stop in a manner which'will be described later. The outer edges of the channel shaped members 17 and 18 are turned outwards into the form of a tapering lip so as to act as a guide to the dust cover 10 when this is pushed home.

Referring now particularly to Figs. 3 and 4 it will be seen that the rotating axle carrying the indicating plates comprises essentially an elongated bobbin shaped member 24 freely supported between the walls of the pressed metalV mounting member 13 on suitable bearing bushes. Be-

`tween the ends of the bobbin are ,supported eleven rods spaced at equal distances around the circumference so as to form in effect a circular cage. This member is shown more clearly in the section view Fig. 4 and it should be explained that the bobbin shaped mounting axle is conveniently in this instance an aluminium die casting, formed as shownwith a centre spindle in the shape of` a cross for the sake of rigidity and lightness in weight, and has its ends splayed out into a bell shaped form in order to provide accommodation for the bearing bushes, while the edges of the bell are moulded into an -extended rimbetween which the supporting rods are secured at regularly spaced intervals. Pivoted freely to each rod of the cage is a rectangular plate such as 25 comparable in size with the diameter of the cage and secured in position by turning one of its edges around j the rod so as to form in effect a bearing sleeve.

Alternatively the plate may be secured in position by means of lugs pressed out during the construction of the plate and drilled to accommodate the rod.

When ,now the circular mounting cage or axle as it may be more correctly termed is ro-A tated in an anti-clockwise direction by driving means, which will be described in detail later,

the separate plates will be carried around so that each willbe raised in turn to a vertical position pointing upwards after which further* movement of the cage will result in the vertical plate falling by gravity through approximately 180 so that it is then pointing downwards. The fallingv of each plate in turn will thereforeY cause the indication which is inscribed thereon to be brought into view from the front of the indicator.

In certain circumstances the surface area of one plate alone may not be considered sufficient to carry an indication of the desired size and it has been arranged therefore to utilize the surface area of two plates at the same time without in any way complicating the mechanism. This arrangement has in fact been illustrated in the particular example chosen and is effected by providing a stop to arrest the fall of the plates from the upper to the lower position. Conveniently in this construction the bracing rod 21 extending across the front of the indicator has been used for this purpose, and is so positioned that when a plate passes its vertical position it will then fall slightly lforward so as to come to rest against the rod. In this position the upper plate will now be in substantially the same vertical plane as the previous plate which has already dropped to its lower position, so that by this means the surface area of both plates may be used in common to provide one large indication. It will be understood that each plate will be inscribed on either side with one half of a numeral the numerals being different on the two sides, and referring by way of example particularly to Fig. 3 it will be seen that the upper plate will carry the upper portion of the numeral 2 on one side, while on the other side of the same plate the lower portion of the numeral 3 will be inscribed. Further movement of the cage from the position referred to will cause the plate in question which is resting against the stop bar 21 to be lowered clear of it so that it then falls by gravity into a lower position against the preceding plate, while the following plate will be raised in turn past its Vertical position to fall against the stop bar so that in combination with the lower plateA it will provide another indication. Conveniently also a lower stop member 26 is secured across the front of the indicator in the position shown in Fig. 4 arranged to pass through convenient holes in the walls of the pressed metal mounting member 13 and is confined to this position by the turned up edges of the tray shaped base. In operation the `action of this stop will be such asto cause a number of `plates to pile up in the manner shown in Fig. 4, and these will be released in turn as the lifting motion of the cage raises each plate in turn to a point just above stop 26. The lower stop therefore forms a support for the plates when they fall into their lower' position since otherwise they would be free to swing in a loose fashion and possibly be influenced' by Weather conditions when the box is situated in an exposed position. The corners of each plate are nicked in the manner shown in Fig. 3 and equipped with rubber bushes 27 which are sprung into position. These bushes serve the purpose of resilient buffers when the plates fall from the upper to the lower position thereby eliminating shock and reducing the mechanical noise of the indicator.v In certain circumstances Where exceptionally rapid operation is contemplated it may be desirable to augment the gravity release of the plates by a spring or other suitable means which will increase the speed of the releasing movement. These 'springs shown as 28 in Fig. 3 are mounted to the left hand end of the rods comprising the cage and arranged so that one arm will bear against the rear of the plate, while the other arm of the spring will rest against the hub of the cage in the manner shown in Fig. 4. Consequently when the plate is lowered clear of the stop bar it will be thrown forward by the spring into its lower position. In order that the dividing line between the upper and the` lower plates shall not be so conspicuous as to impair the satisfactory definition of the numeral the intervening space may be masked by suitable. strips of metal secured between the rods of the cage and painted with the middle strip of the numeral. I

As regards the means for operating the mechanism, a small electric motor has been employed in this instance designated 29 which may be of any well-known type secured to the off set bracket 30 which is in turn fastened to the rear of the pressed metal mounting member 13 by the screws 31. The drive from the motor is transmitted through a helical spring 32 to a driving :shaft 33 shown" more clearly` in'. Figi 5,

which is supported between suitableV holes the libre blocks 34 andk 35 secured to the/sidel of ,the rarnejand .carries 'at its endu timey driving worm ,36.` Ihe worm 36y is; arranged to mesh ,with a worm wheel `3'7 which is locked by means of .the screw 38 to the spindlefof the circular cage previously referred toif'Consequentlywhen" the motor is set in motion from suitable circuit means, the drive willbetransmitted through the springrandworm'gearing sov as to bring about-the rotation ofI the cage `carrying the `inf` Vdicating plates which are brought into view one.

after the other; :In order to' provide fa. ready means of arresting the movement of` the cage Lin Ythe desired positions for displaying the numbers ber to the separate displays available. In order that the wiper shall be insulated from the frame of the indicator itjis arranged that the end ofthe spindlevextending through thesupporting wall :is provided with an insulated ring i composed of `bakelite or ,other suitable materiaLginto which are ,let twoA pins il and V42 to form the support for the wiper blade39 which comprises atriangular shaped kilat piece of metal provided with holes spaced to accommodate `the mounting pins while the smaller dimension end which is arranged to wipe; over the contracts shown is turned over and` rounded into the formof a shoe so as to provideagood slidable suitable slotsr in the insulated Iirlg and turnedV contact.y The wiper blade. is held in` position by means of a flat spring 43 which is clamped sion of the insulated member carryingV the contact studs. .Conveniently the spring y.is holed"H at .one end to accommodate afpin- -let into the wiper blade, while Vthe other lend isformedk into a connection tag through which electrical connection to the wiper may bemade. As regards the contact bank lthiscomprises' a moulded ring provided with an extended arm to which the wiper clamping spring vi3`A is-secured, `while three moulded lugs are Ialso providediin suitable positions to enable the ring kto be clampedito the side of the kmounting frame by means -ofl screws shown. The contact studs 45, spaced `at equal distances around thevcircumference of `the ring, may take the form` of flat strips Aof metal bent over at the ends which are pushed through over at the back to hold ,them in position. Conveniently also one -end of the strip may be formed `into theshape of aY tag; to which elec-- trical connection may be made and florthis-purpose the ringitselfis cutawayto approximately half the thickness of the kotherpar-txof the, moulding so as to provide adequate space `for making the connection at the rear. Two relays, 52 and 55, are also vcontemplated in the control of the indicatorv and although thesehave not been shown anywhere except in Fig. 6, theyv must be assumed to be securedv to the angle bracket-46 shownin Fig; 2 or` 5 so `.as to occupy approximately the space outlined by the dotted bounding line shown. 1

An understanding ,of the vcircuitf'frrrnictioning maybe had from Fig. 6; The relay 52 is connected to the start lead to which ground potential isv connected when it is*l desired to operate the indicating apparatusand to which conductor that potentialremains connectedas long assit is position.`

desired touse the indicating apparatus.. In the assumed employment of the instant/apparatus, .the ground potentialwwill beT connected to the start lead at the commencement ofra ticket selling period and willlremain connected throughlout that period. Therefore, relay 52 remains energized throughout the selling periodand, at,`

its armature 54 andmake contact, maintains the operating circuit of thel motor 29 closed., Motor k29 thereuponoperates,tokrotate the shaft 33 and Vrnachineis operated to issuefa ticket,A ground lpotential. is vconnected to the #l contact'of .wiper 39. .i When the wiper engages this #l contact, relay 55 which is connected tothe wiper 39 energizes andat its annature`56 and makecontact short-circuits the armature of the motor 29,V

quickly stopping the motor and consequently the rotation of the Anummer bearingplates 25.` The f contactsrr are so arranged that wiper 39 en- .gages each Contact as the corresponding number carried by the plates in the `display As ticket-issuing takes place, the potential will be connected to the various `contacts in sequence.

In `the illustration'in Fig. y6,-it has been assumedl that thewiper 39 has, justV encounteredA ground potential on-the #4 contact and that 'relay 55 hasi justenergized to short-circuit theymotor armature at its armature 56 and make contact. f Itis desirable in the case of rapid ticket-issuing .to arrange that a number shallbe exhibited `for atleast a minimuml len h` f t' 'I'his by means of the nut and bolt` 44. toan exten" gt 'o Ime that at its armature 57 and make contact, relay 'locks itself to ground through the normally closed contacts of slow-actingl relay (wandV that` at its armature 58'and` make contactjrelay 55 completes the circuitof relay 60.*k Relay -60 is here represented asa dash-pot relay ofA any Well- Y known type, kand this relay n. slowly elevates its plunger 61 when its circuit is completed and in time Aopens the locking'circuit of relay 55.' f

. If@ atk this time Vground vpotential has been removed .from the #4f contact, the relay 55 will deenergize, removing the short-circuit of the 'motor armature andhopening the circuit of the dash-pot relay-60. The motor will then function to rotate `the shaft and wiper until the wiper encountersanother grounded contact. If the locking circuit of relay 55 `is opened rbefore ground potential is removed from the contact engaged by the rwiper 39, relay 55 will remain operated" until that potential is removed, whereupon the relay deenergizes to remove the shortcircuit of the motor armature. f

' Theconn'ection of the ground potential to the contacts Vof wiper 39 may be accomplished in the manner most suitable to the system in which this indicating apparatus" may be employed.v

Also, ground potential may be connected tothe ,contacts promiscuously or in a definite sequence or order, depending upon the use'to whichy it is put. n It is-to'r be understood that the locking of relay 55 to the timing circuit` is optional. When not employed,` the relay 55 will -remain `energized only as long as the* potential remains lconnected to the` contact with which-wiper 39 is in engagement.

The indicator unit is constructed in a manner such as to be readily transportable by arranging that the electrical connections extending therefrom are wired to a terminating strip 47 shown more clearly in Fig. 2, and provided with a plurality of insulated connecting points two of which are shown at either end of the strip. Each wire extending from the indicator is taken to a separate terminal point on this strip which is constructed so that ready connection may be Vmade with a corresponding set of spring connecting links which may be wired in a permanent position to a rack or mounting shelf. Such spring connecting means are already well known in the telephone art and their application in the circumstances mentioned is of particular service, since it is `of importance that the indicator units may be quickly removed and replaced in case a fault occurs so as not to interrupt the progress of ticket selling. In addition to the main dust cover 10, which may be left permanently in position while the indicator is in use, a further cover is also provided for the front .of the indicator to prevent the possibility of damage to the indicating plates during transportation. Although. this front cover has not been shown in the drawings, it should be explained that it comprises a flat plate Withturned over edges formed into the shape of a groove, to accommodate the edges of theA channel shaped members 17 and 18 previously referred to. The cover is fitted by suspending it over the top of the channel shaped members and thereupon pushing it down until its contacts with the heads of the clamping screws 48 and 49 in which position the front of the indicator is then enclosed.

In order that the indicator may be restored to a home position which is not inscribed with a numeral or letter, the work wheel 37 shown in Fig. 5 and Fig.V 6 is provided with an insulated plug 50 which is driven into a hole in the wheel lushwith both sides'and gagged in position by bob-punching the edges in one or more positions in the manner shown. The wheel is arranged to rotate between the spring assembly 51 which is secured to the side of the mounting frame and comprises two insulated springs arranged to establish electrical contact with the two sides of the worm wheel respectively. In one position ofY the wheel the springs will contact with the insulated plug and conveniently this position will be arranged to coincide with a showing on the indicator which is blank, thus constituting a home position. In all other` positions the springs will establish electrical connection witlr' the wheel'and conveniently they are included in a circuit to the driving motor which is controlled by the resting armature 53 of the relay 52 arranged yto be operated at the commencement of ticket selling. Consequently at the end of, the selling period when the relay is released the circuit referred to will become operative to drive the indicator to its home position and when this is reached the circuit is opened by the insulated plug.

What I claim is:-

1. In an indicating device, a rotatable shaft carrying means having characters adapted to be moved through a display position one after another as said shaft rotates, an electric motor normally conditioned to rotate said shaft, a control wiper carried by said shaft and rotated thereby, a plurality of contacts engaged by said wiper as' said shaft rotates, and corresponding to the character to be displayed, said contacts adapted to have potential connected thereto, and means responsive to the `encountering of a said potential on one of said contacts by said wiper for short-circuiting the armature of said motor to-immediately stop the motor to arrest said shaft'and thereby arrest said wiper on said one contact.

2. In a control system, a rotatable shaft, an electric motor for rotating said shaft and having a continuouslydclosed operating circuit, a wiper carried by said shaft and rotated thereby, a plurality of contacts engaged by vsaid wiper onekafter another as said shaft rotates, said contacts adapted to have a marking potential connected thereto -for'variable lengths of time, and means responsive to the encountering of the marking potential on one of said contacts by said wiper for short-circuiting the armature of said motor to immediately stop the rotation of shaft to arrestthe wiper on said one-contact, whereby said short-circuiting means is eiective to maintain said armature short-circuited as long as the marking potential remains connected to said one contact.

` 3. In a control system, a rotatable shaft, an electric' motor for rotating said rshaft and having a continuously closed operating circuit, a wiper carried by said shaft and-rotated therewith, a 'plurality of 'contacts engaged by said wiper as said shaft rotates, said contacts adapted to have a marking potential connected thereto for varying lengths `of time, a relay connected to said wiper and energized whenever said wiper encounters said potential on one of said contacts, a holding circuit for said relay, `and timing means for opening said holding circuit a definite length of 'time after the energization of said relay, said relay having means operated upon the energization thereof for locking itself to said holding circuit, for operating s'aid timing means and for short circuiting the armature of said motor to arrest the rotationV of said shaft and to bring saidv wiper to rest in engagement with said one contact, whereby said armature is maintained short-circuited and said shaft is maintained at rest for at least said definite length of time. v

' 4. In a control system, a rotatable shaft, an electric motor for rotating said shaft and having a continuously closed current supply circuit, whereby said motor is normally energized to rotate said shaft, a contacting Abrush mounted on said shaft and rotated therewith, a series of contacts arranged to be engaged by said brush las said shaft rotates, said contacts adapted to have marking potential connected rthereto for varying lengths of time, means effective-whenever said brush encounters a marked Contact to short-circuit said motor to immediately arrest the rotation of said shaft to maintain said brushin engagement with the marked contact, whereby said short-circuiting means is 'maintained effective to maintain the motor short-circuited as long as said contact remains marked, and timing means operated by said short-circuiting means for causing said short-circuiting means to maintain the motor short-circuited for at least a deis rotated as long as said circuit is closed, a` pair of springs, a co-operating contactor carried by said shaft and adaptedto conductively con-Y nect said springs `together except While said shaft is in its normal position, and an auxiliary en,- ergizing circuit for said motor` including -said springs and break contacts and closed Whenever said device is restoredwhile said shaft is out of its normal position, whereby said vmotor is maintained energized upon the opening of said mainv rotated to its normal shaft until said shaftis position. f l

ROBERT N. SAXBY. 

